Masters cash boosted

Prize money at the British Masters next year is going up by over £200,000 (€313,000) following an agreement reached between the European tour and the International Sports Management company.

The tournament, which for the past three years has been sponsored by bookmakers Victor Chandler, switches from Woburn to the Forest of Arden near Coventry and will be played on June 6-9.

The total purse goes up to £1.5m (€2.35m), with a first prize of £250,000 (€390,000).

Among ISM’s clients are Irish duo Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley and their manager Andrew Chandler said: “We are both proud and excited to be part of the British Masters and we will do everything we can to ensure it is one of the tournaments all the tour’s top players want to take part in.”

Justin Rose won the event this year after a terrific head-to-head duel with close friend Ian Poulter.